Remembering Daveigh Chase's Career
Daveigh Chase, the actress who became widely known for her chilling portrayal of Samara Morgan in the horror film The Ring and as the voice of the beloved character Lilo in Disney's animated movie Lilo & Stitch, has died at 35. Her manager, John Ryan Jr., confirmed to BBC News that Chase succumbed to sepsis after battling meningitis in a Los Angeles hospital. Ryan also stated that she had been admitted for malnourishment prior to her passing.
A Child Star's Journey
Chase began her acting career at the young age of four, securing her first Hollywood role by seven. While she retired from full-time acting in 2015, her early career was marked by significant achievements. Beyond her most famous roles, she lent her voice to Chihiro in the English dub of Hayao Miyazaki's acclaimed animated film Spirited Away and featured in the cable drama Big Love.
Her manager, who was also a friend for 15 years, described Chase as a private individual who valued her personal life over fame. "She was the greatest. She loved cats. She worked with cat rescues with us. She was very to herself," Ryan shared, noting her preference for independent projects and a quiet life in Las Vegas over the Hollywood spotlight. "She'd rather eat at Bob's Big Boy and go home with the cats. She loved acting but wasn't into the fame scene."
Key Roles and Accolades
Chase's breakthrough in Hollywood arrived in 2001 with her appearance as Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko. The following year, she solidified her place in cinematic history as Samara Morgan in The Ring, the American adaptation of the Japanese horror classic. Her performance as the eerie, long-haired ghost earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain in 2003.
"It is not your typical character. Usually they are looking for a happy-go-lucky kid, but Samara was a pretty interesting character to play. I just kind of took my own voice and put this freaky twist on it," Chase told the Los Angeles Times in 2002 regarding her role as Samara.
In the same pivotal year, Chase also voiced the endearing, Elvis-obsessed Hawaiian girl Lilo in Lilo & Stitch, a role that earned her an Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production. She continued to voice Lilo in subsequent spin-offs. Her extensive resume also includes guest appearances in popular TV dramas such as Charmed, ER, and Touched by an Angel, as well as a recurring role as child bride Rhonda Volmer in HBO's Big Love for 32 episodes.
Later in her life, Chase reportedly faced several legal issues, including charges related to drug possession and joyriding in a stolen vehicle.
Source: The Ring and Lilo & Stitch actress Daveigh Chase dies aged 35